Is there anyway to increase the strength of my WiFi capability for my M200?
There are often times that I am not able to pick up a signal, or it is a
very weak one, though my desktop mac computer has no problem connecting and
the strength is strong.

Wireless is very environmental, Mike, as you probably know. I don't know,
since you didn't say, what type of LAN you're talking about or what the
physical circumstances of the use are, but if it is one you control, you
might try changing channels on the base station/router. If you're in a
situation where you're at a distance from your router, you might try using a
true Access Point to expand your LAN.
--
Chris H.
Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
Associate Expert
Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone


"Mike" <mike12******.com> wrote in message
news:eN%23W7qTHFHA.2136@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> Is there anyway to increase the strength of my WiFi capability for my
> M200? There are often times that I am not able to pick up a signal, or it
> is a very weak one, though my desktop mac computer has no problem
> connecting and the strength is strong.
>
>

By true access point, chris means, somthing like a Linksys "Access Point".
These are great devices, to expand your Wifi Network by actually logging on
as another Host or device on the wifi, then making another wifi network.
These can cost around $80. Less if you shop around.
Another option is a Range Expander, these do just that, but lamely it just
repeats received signals. great for not making a seperate network. but still
cost around $80. The better choice is of course the AP, because for the same
price, you have better control, and you can then hook up a hub to the AP and
have a wired network, also connecting to the wireless. Very Versatile!
Your computer may have the ability to power up the "radio" better, but that
I dont know. If you do manage the network you're connecting to, try moving
the (lack of better words) Access Point to a better location. Some wireless
cards can receive better than others, and being that your card may be
internal on your computer it may have a hard time hearing the signal due to
the metal in your computer and it deflecting (sheilding) the signal. Whereas
the desktop has a better signal because it's not as sheilded.

Hope that explains it a bit.
Other problems include, Wireless 2.4ghz Phones, Metal Stair Banisters (I had
this problem, AP was on the other side of the hallway, where my room was
"blocked" by the banister, deflecting the signal to my room only, where other
rooms next to mine, could get excellent signal!), and other wireless devices
ie. BlueTooth, and your computer may be getting "noise" from the other
computers, even flourescent lights may cause problems.

-James

"Chris H." wrote:

> Wireless is very environmental, Mike, as you probably know. I don't know,
> since you didn't say, what type of LAN you're talking about or what the
> physical circumstances of the use are, but if it is one you control, you
> might try changing channels on the base station/router. If you're in a
> situation where you're at a distance from your router, you might try using a
> true Access Point to expand your LAN.
> --
> Chris H.
> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
> Associate Expert
> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>
>
> "Mike" <mike12******.com> wrote in message
> news:eN%23W7qTHFHA.2136@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> > Is there anyway to increase the strength of my WiFi capability for my
> > M200? There are often times that I am not able to pick up a signal, or it
> > is a very weak one, though my desktop mac computer has no problem
> > connecting and the strength is strong.
> >
> >
>
>
>

Thanks guys for the advice. I was hoping that there might be a setting on
the M200 somewhere.
I am going to look into your suggestions.


"flibbertigibbet007" <flibbertigibbet007@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
message news:9370B621-3F22-4A72-A29C-44DB5564B7D0@microsoft.com...
> By true access point, chris means, somthing like a Linksys "Access Point".
> These are great devices, to expand your Wifi Network by actually logging
> on
> as another Host or device on the wifi, then making another wifi network.
> These can cost around $80. Less if you shop around.
> Another option is a Range Expander, these do just that, but lamely it just
> repeats received signals. great for not making a seperate network. but
> still
> cost around $80. The better choice is of course the AP, because for the
> same
> price, you have better control, and you can then hook up a hub to the AP
> and
> have a wired network, also connecting to the wireless. Very Versatile!
> Your computer may have the ability to power up the "radio" better, but
> that
> I dont know. If you do manage the network you're connecting to, try moving
> the (lack of better words) Access Point to a better location. Some
> wireless
> cards can receive better than others, and being that your card may be
> internal on your computer it may have a hard time hearing the signal due
> to
> the metal in your computer and it deflecting (sheilding) the signal.
> Whereas
> the desktop has a better signal because it's not as sheilded.
>
> Hope that explains it a bit.
> Other problems include, Wireless 2.4ghz Phones, Metal Stair Banisters (I
> had
> this problem, AP was on the other side of the hallway, where my room was
> "blocked" by the banister, deflecting the signal to my room only, where
> other
> rooms next to mine, could get excellent signal!), and other wireless
> devices
> ie. BlueTooth, and your computer may be getting "noise" from the other
> computers, even flourescent lights may cause problems.
>
> -James
>
> "Chris H." wrote:
>
>> Wireless is very environmental, Mike, as you probably know. I don't
>> know,
>> since you didn't say, what type of LAN you're talking about or what the
>> physical circumstances of the use are, but if it is one you control, you
>> might try changing channels on the base station/router. If you're in a
>> situation where you're at a distance from your router, you might try
>> using a
>> true Access Point to expand your LAN.
>> --
>> Chris H.
>> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
>> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
>> Associate Expert
>> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
>>
>>
>> "Mike" <mike12******.com> wrote in message
>> news:eN%23W7qTHFHA.2136@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
>> > Is there anyway to increase the strength of my WiFi capability for my
>> > M200? There are often times that I am not able to pick up a signal, or
>> > it
>> > is a very weak one, though my desktop mac computer has no problem
>> > connecting and the strength is strong.
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>>

For settings on the computer it self, check in the bios. I know thats a long
shot, but its a try. Another is check for driver updates, I know that the
Intel 2200 BG had updates fairly quickly, one of which turned off the
promiscous mode, and then the recent that enabled it again, but then turned
off the power management, now I assume that it's useing full power. But I
dont know. Check for updates for the driver, they may have power management
there.
Other options, are that you could (hopefully your waranty is up) open the
computer, drill a hole on the side or back, and attach an external antenna.
Leading on the inside with a "pigtail" to the wireless card. This is risky,
and no one here would even mention this, but I have been looking into this
for my Gateway M275. There are some great attachable antennas one is called
"Bullet" this is supposedly great for non line of sight areas. I am a ham
radio operator, and I know alot about radio and equipment, but im just a
little confused about how the bullet works, but it's supposed to be the best
offered now for 802.11 (2.4ghz) frequencies. maybe search on google.com for
some other ideas. search for "2.4ghz" "antennas", "802.11", "wireless"
Good luck.
-James

"Mike" wrote:

> Thanks guys for the advice. I was hoping that there might be a setting on
> the M200 somewhere.
> I am going to look into your suggestions.
>
>
> "flibbertigibbet007" <flibbertigibbet007@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> message news:9370B621-3F22-4A72-A29C-44DB5564B7D0@microsoft.com...
> > By true access point, chris means, somthing like a Linksys "Access Point".
> > These are great devices, to expand your Wifi Network by actually logging
> > on
> > as another Host or device on the wifi, then making another wifi network.
> > These can cost around $80. Less if you shop around.
> > Another option is a Range Expander, these do just that, but lamely it just
> > repeats received signals. great for not making a seperate network. but
> > still
> > cost around $80. The better choice is of course the AP, because for the
> > same
> > price, you have better control, and you can then hook up a hub to the AP
> > and
> > have a wired network, also connecting to the wireless. Very Versatile!
> > Your computer may have the ability to power up the "radio" better, but
> > that
> > I dont know. If you do manage the network you're connecting to, try moving
> > the (lack of better words) Access Point to a better location. Some
> > wireless
> > cards can receive better than others, and being that your card may be
> > internal on your computer it may have a hard time hearing the signal due
> > to
> > the metal in your computer and it deflecting (sheilding) the signal.
> > Whereas
> > the desktop has a better signal because it's not as sheilded.
> >
> > Hope that explains it a bit.
> > Other problems include, Wireless 2.4ghz Phones, Metal Stair Banisters (I
> > had
> > this problem, AP was on the other side of the hallway, where my room was
> > "blocked" by the banister, deflecting the signal to my room only, where
> > other
> > rooms next to mine, could get excellent signal!), and other wireless
> > devices
> > ie. BlueTooth, and your computer may be getting "noise" from the other
> > computers, even flourescent lights may cause problems.
> >
> > -James
> >
> > "Chris H." wrote:
> >
> >> Wireless is very environmental, Mike, as you probably know. I don't
> >> know,
> >> since you didn't say, what type of LAN you're talking about or what the
> >> physical circumstances of the use are, but if it is one you control, you
> >> might try changing channels on the base station/router. If you're in a
> >> situation where you're at a distance from your router, you might try
> >> using a
> >> true Access Point to expand your LAN.
> >> --
> >> Chris H.
> >> Microsoft Windows MVP/Tablet PC
> >> Tablet Creations - http://nicecreations.us/
> >> Associate Expert
> >> Expert Zone - www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone
> >>
> >>
> >> "Mike" <mike12******.com> wrote in message
> >> news:eN%23W7qTHFHA.2136@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl...
> >> > Is there anyway to increase the strength of my WiFi capability for my
> >> > M200? There are often times that I am not able to pick up a signal, or
> >> > it
> >> > is a very weak one, though my desktop mac computer has no problem
> >> > connecting and the strength is strong.
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

Mike wrote:
> Is there anyway to increase the strength of my WiFi capability for my M200?
> There are often times that I am not able to pick up a signal, or it is a
> very weak one, though my desktop mac computer has no problem connecting and
> the strength is strong.

If it has Intel 2200BG, you can get the v9.0.1 drivers from Intel's site
(if Toshiba doesn't have the newer ones). It allows you to set the
transmit power, e.g. right-click on the xp wlan connection icon in
the task tray, Status, Properties, Configure, Advanced, Transmit Power.
However, to get any improvement, you'll have to do the same xmit power
upping on your wifi router, too (some allow to do this, some don't, and
there's always the local radio regulations that specify the legal xmit
power limits to which you need to comply... if you care about those
limits, that is ;-))

- Jan